Mothers Day Brunch

Mothers day is just 1 week away.  The traiditonal Mothers Day brunch is expensive for larger famlies.  In my research, Ive seen prices at $30/plate.  For a family on a budget, that can be disastrous to a budget.  So, here is a list of places where you can take your mom and show her how much you appreciate everything she does:

Join The Vault for their 10th Annual Mother's Day Brunch at their new venue inside Varsity Grill on Sunday, May 9th from 10am - 2pm. Expect all your brunch favorites like omelettes, prime rib, honey ham, fresh seafood, pastas, a variety of desserts, & many other delicious selections in a stylish new setting that Mom will love. Prices are $21.95 for Adults, $18.95 for Seniors, & $10.95 for Kids 10 & under.
http://vaultcatering.com/

Old Milwakee Cafe
3102 6th Ave - I hear this place is super yummy and small, so the wait could be a long one.  Call (253) 761-2602 to see if they take reservations.

Marcias Silver Spoon Cafe
2601 S Tacoma Way - Again, a smaller place, takes a while to get your food, but portions are HUGE and the food is excellent!
Call (253) 472-0157 to see about reservations. 

Elmers
7427 S Hosmer St - I love the stuffed hashbrowns here.  Decent price and great food.  This place tends to be very busy all the time, so please be prepared to wait a bit.  Service is prompt and pleasant. 
Call (253) 473-0855 to see about reservations or call ahead service

CI Shenanigans
3017 Ruston Way - The brunch here is to DIE for.  Love, love, love the strawberries that seem as large as my head.  It is more epxensive than others, but SOOOOOoooo yummy!  You will definately need reservations for this one.  Call (253) 752-8811.

Music, dancing and fun

From May 12th through May 29th, at the Paramount, in Seattle, Mary Poppins is coming to town.  This is so exciting; I loved the movie when I was a kid.  I really want to take my kids.  There are tickets as low as $26 (+ tax) per seat on some days (Sundays on the 3rd Mezzanine - no eleveator). 

This is a timeless movie that should be a really great musical as well.  I hope to take my guys and show them the greatness that is Mary Poppins. 

Spray Park Fun

Starting in May, the spray parks operated by Metro Parks will be up and running, weekends only.  Be prepared, however, if you do imbibe of the great fun to be had, the water is cold.  Make sure to pack a blanket or sweater for after playtime so the kiddos so they can warm up.   Even better, bring a thermos of hot chocolate.  Nothing better in the world than a cup of hot chocolate to warm up.    

Summertime Fun

Hey everyone, if your looking for a great calendar of summertime events in the Tacoma/Pierce County area, pick up your TNT (Tacoma News Tribune) . Inside you will find Metro Parks Spring/Summer event calendar. Totally worth it. The calendar is also published online for free. Lots of fun and FREE activities listed there.

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Childrens Museum of Tacoma

Once again, the Childrens Museum of Tacoma has come through with some really cool playtime for kids.  This is during the week, from 10-11:30am, so whenever you have a day off work, or if you are lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom.  At several locations throughout Pierce County, with the help of donations or grants, the Childrens Museum offers a program where children can play games, sing songs during circle time and create art projects centering around rotating themes.  The ages for these programs are for children as young as can pick up a toy and as old as kindergarden.  The program is FREE, and available on a drop-by basis.  (NO pre-registration required.)

Session 5 is currently running and in some locations will run through May.  See the calendar following calendar for a list of locations/times at http://www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org/files/library/86055ed8372c98d9.pdf. 

Friends of the Forest in Skagit Co.

Friends of the Forest is a hiking group based in Anacourtes, WA. They lead several semicircle, all-ages hikes throughout the spring and summer. This weekend Sat. April 30th, they are hiking the ridge East of Heart Lake from 10am till 12pm. See further details here and complete calendar if events here: Friends of the Forest - Anacortes Community Forest Lands - Anacortes, WA

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Wooden Boat Fair at Percival Landing in Olympia

If you are anything like me, you love the water.  The great scenery and landscapes are some the reasons we brave the dreary, cold, and wet winters in Western Washington.  While most of us can only dream of owning a boat, during say retirement, many others have made this hobby a passion.  This is especially true for the members of the Olympia Wooden Boat Association.  http://www.olywoodenboat.org/default.htm

Saturday and Sunday, May 7th and 8th, from 10am to 6pm the Olympia Wooden Boat Association is having their 32nd Annual Wooden Boat Fair.  Entertainment includes a childrens boat building booth, arts & crafts for sale and an International food alley.

If it is anything like the Tacoma Maritime festival, the boat building is great and with a good coat of shellac, you've just made a tub toy that will last for years.  Well, the sail might need to be replaced because it IS paper, but the boat itself is really neat for kids to play with.  Im sure it will be a lot of fun, and since my family loves the water so much, we might put this on our "Must-do" list.

Vroom Vroom - The Lacey Alternative Energy Fair

The Lacey Alternative Energy Fair, in Lacy, WA on Sat. May 7th from 9am to 3pm, is a great place to take grade school and older folks who might be interested in all thing that go Vroom, Vroom.  The fair has electric car races, an MPG challenge and alternative energy vendors. 

In one stop, you can educate the kiddos about how cars don't necessarily need gas to run, and you can shop for alternative energy options for your own home.  What an adventure!  Its totally FREE and can be a ton of fun.  Check out the website at http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/parks-and-recreation/special-park-events/lacey-alternative-energy-fair

Fan go-round at Cheney Stadium

If you like baseball and live in the South Sound, then this is the place to be! This Sunday the 1st of May, at the new Cheney stadium, from 1-5pm there is FREE entrance, FREE parking and FREE autographs! The autographs are featuring Gaylord Perry a former pitcher with the Giants and baseball hall of famer, as well as Don Larsen, the ONLY man to pitch a no-hitter in a world series game. As Dave Niehaus would say, "My oh My!"

There are activities for younger children and trivia contests for older ones (older = from about 10-50yrs old I'd say) At the meet and greet, you can meet players from the spanning Tacoma baseball history from 1960-2010, including a womans fast-pitch team. So bring your boys and your girls and let them dream a dream and meet some really amazing people in Tacoma.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Meet-Your-Favorite-Players-at-the-Fan-Go-Round-at-Cheney-Stadium-this-Saturday-.html?soid=1101200370987&aid=h1NjM_34glg

Family Fun Center in Tuckwilla

The Family Fun Center in Tuckwilla is great. It's open year round and has indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Places like this can be pretty expensive, with entrance fees and food costs. But, the Entertainment Book has you covered. With coupons for entrance and value packs, consider calling 425-228-7300, to see is you can pack your own food. That would make it really affordable and fun too.

The Entertainment Book has 3, count em, 3 coupons for this place. There is laser tag, go carts, mini golf and all other sorts of fun to be had.
Coupons include: buy one/ get one for admission, $5 off a value package (4 packages may be purchased with this coupon), and a birthday party package coupon.

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Building Projects

Build something and spend quality time with your child. Home Depot regularly has a Kids Clinic on the first Saturday of every month. Each month has a different project and the prices are really reasonable.

On May 7th, at 8am, go by your local Home Depot and make a (birdhouse @ the Center street location) project to bring home with your kids. It's a great way to introduce children to the concept of numbers and counting and measuring.

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Volksmarching is for all ages

If you like to walk at your own pace and enjoy the scenery, then Volksmarching might be for you. The Evergreen Wanderers is a Volksmarch club who discover local trails, schedule time and permits for access to draw people together. Typical walks can be 10k and can take the better part of the afternoon. Be sure to pack a lunch. It's fun for all ages. My boys completed their first march at 3yrs old. It can be free if you don't join the club, but club memberships are pretty inexpensive.

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=466530

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Kids Night Out!!

I don't know about you, but the idea of date night is great, in theory.  The idea of a nice meal for two in a REAL restaurant (not McDonalds) and perhaps splurging on a movie is a dream for some of us.  The Center at Norpoint offers, once a month, a Kids Night Out.  From 6-9:30 at night for children ages 6weeks to 11yrs old.  The next Kids Night Out is April 29th. 

Pre-registration is required, but with activities like swimming for the older ones, and arts & crafts for the younger ones, this sounds like a winner, for both Mom&Dad as well as the kids. 

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/files/library/51e8554630b60252.pdf

Fitness can be fun

This Sat. April 23rd from 11-1pm at its Norpoint location Metro Parks has a family fitness fun day. There are activities, fitness challenges and arts & crafts. This is a fun community center that offers a lot of activities, like swimming and adult fitness classes.
Could be a lot of fun, perhaps I'll see you there. 4818 Nassau Ave NE

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Point Defiance for FREE!

Occasionally, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium offer a free day for residents of the City of Tacoma.  Sometimes residents of Pierce County get discounted admission too.  On Wednesday, April 27th, and May 4th, PDZA will offer free entry to any City of Tacoma resident.  While these days are on Wednesday, and more frequent during the Spring when it is more prone to raining, its still a pretty cool thing to do.  There are always animal encounters and feeding times posted, not to mention the really fun show they can put on for you in the new Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater.  We enjoy it every time we go.  http://www.pdza.org/calendar.php?eid=118

Even MORE Trains!

On April 26th and 27th, there is a Model Train show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  This event occurs 2 times/year here.  The April event is smaller than the one in November.  Feel free to explore the various layouts, see the different clubs throughout the region and learn/see more about model trains! 

Admission is ony $8 for Adults/ $20 for families (2Adults/2Children)  Though the webiste does not offer definition of children, previously anyone under age 10 was free...that can change at any time though.   

See http://www.stagingtracks.com/shows/907-trains-trains-and-more-trains for more information.

Trains...Trains...Trains

With 4 year old boys, you can't go wrong with trains, at least in this family.  They started playing with trains and became obsessed with Thomas about age 2.  (Though I DO limit their TV time, its all Thomas all the time). We have discovered, the Tacoma NW Model Rail Road Club at located at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma.  This club is open MOST Saturdays from 10am-2pm and Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8pm.  Notice the emphasis on MOST.  These guys are train enthusists who open up their workshop for people to stop by.  Ive been by with my boys, and they are really nice at letting the young ones watch.  (No touching without permission)  They open to the public to answer questions about Model Railroading or railroad history as they work/play on their own layouts and designs.  See http://www.tnwmrr.org/TNW_Model_RR_Club/Home.html for more details. 

On May 14th and 15th, they are hosting a show and swap meet at Freighthouse Square.  Im am sure we will be there.  The members of the club are nice and its a great opportunity to see a bunch of model trains run for free!

Metro Parks - Kayaking

Metro Parks, our esteemed Pierce County parks and recreation organization has several items on the menue this summer.  Their facilities include the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, NW Trek, Sprinker and Norpoint to name a few.  There are all kinds of summer camps available through Metro Parks and the Summer Camp Fair is April 16th (Today) from 10am -2pm.  You can also look at the website www.metroparkstacoma.org/GOcamps

As soon as my boys are old enough, we want to go on the Kayak trip.  They have a family kayaking adventure on SAT May 7th from 1-4pm for $35 per person.  Ages 7+.  It is at Manchester State Park in Port Orchard.  http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=1246 for more information and to register online.  Have fun!

Speaking of Plants...Need Some?

If you like to garden, this is the event for you.  Think swap meet, for your plants.  If you have excess plants you no longer want in your yard, but feel bad about tossing away, dig them up and bring them here.  If you want plants, but are strapped for cash, then this is where you need to be.  You can listen to master gardeners, get supplies and plants, all in one stop. 

Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 901 N J St. in Tacoma is having a Plant Exchange on Sat. May 7th from 9:30am till 1pm.

While Im not sure they will have the garden plants Im looking for, Tomatoes/Zuchinni/Corn etc.,  Im ever hopeful.   Perhaps I will see you there?

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Instead of staying indoors and doing your taxes this weekend, take a little walk.  In honor of Arbor Day, the Bellevue Botanical Gardens has several events and activities...all for FREE.  Complete all the activities and collect all your stamps for a prize.  http://iframe.kirklandreporter.pnwcalendar.com/events/view/1030721

Continuing this Spring and Summer, every Saturday and Sunday from April through October there is a FREE tour of the botanical gardens starting at the Visitor Center at 2pm.  http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/fmvisitor.htm 

Hands on Childrens Museum of Tacoma

Who doesn't like playing with buttons or getting elbow deep in toys and games?  The Hands on Children's Museum, located at 936 Broadway, is a great place for kids to go, especially when it is raining outside.  However, when dealing with a large group of people, it can get expensive.  The Childrens Museum charges for not only the children who attend, but the adults who take them.  So, you have to be smart, and here is how to do it on the cheap...http://www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org/admission

Monday - Friday from 3 to 5pm, Admission is HALF-PRICE.

Go on the 25th of every month, and Admission is only 25CENTS.  

1st Friday of every month is FREE (and Thursdays during the Farmers Market in June/July/August) 

Soon, the museum will be breaking ground on its new location in downtown Tacoma.  In January 2012, they open at their new location AND admission will be FREE!  Stay tuned for that one.

Museum of Flight - Seattle

My boys love watching planes, trains and automobiles.  This is a great chance to cash in on that.  On Sat. Aug. 16th, the Museum of Flight is offering free entrance (as posted on their facebook page).  The Museum of flight will have next year a whole training fuselage donated by NASA. 

Take advantatge of this great Museum right in our own backyard and walk through to see all the different types of aiplanes and other exhibits.  Some of the exhibits are actually kid friendly with buttons you can touch and lights that light up!

http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/2011/04/museum-of-flight-free-admission-on-saturday/

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

While this is outside my normal stomping grounds, Tulips are beautiful!  Normally, I don't reccomend going during the weekend because this is a very busy event.  It lasts all month (April 1-30th), but I am tempted to go to the Chili, Chowdah’  & Chocolate Cookoff on April 23rd (Sat) from 11-2pm.  Its held at a retirement home and whats better than mom's cooking....Grandmas cooking! 

There doesn't appear to be a fee from the website at http://www.tulipfestival.org/attractions/special_events, but still, it could be fun.

Spring Fair

Ahhh, the smell of spring.  In Western Washington, it smells like rain.  For those of you non-natives, yes rain has a distinct smell.  It smells fresh, like you can tell the tulips are beginning to poke their way out of the ground and the pollen is just beginning to bloom.  What is the best part of Spring, besides the rain, and blooming flowers?  The Spring Fair. 

The Spring Fair is at the Puyallup Fairgrounds and is a much smaller version of the Western Washington Fair.  It has a small area of rides for the little ones, and most of the more adult (mature?) rides like the Extreme Scream in addition to vendors and, of course, animals.  The Spring Fair is great to take younger children or single adults because the children shouldn't get too overwhelmed due to the size, and any adult worth their salt loves a fried Krusty Pup or two. 

Located online at http://www.thefair.com/spring-fair/, the Spring Fair this year will have Rodeo activities as well as Food Network star Sandra Lee.  See, something for everyone!  Starting the 14th, today and running through the 17th of April, there are several deals to be had.  If you are MILITARY, you get in free TOMORROW (April 15th) and you can buy discount tickets.  For discount ride tickets, you can get 7 rides for just $16.  Buy these at Fred Meyer or Safeway.  (There is a Safeway on S. Meridian just down from the fairgrounds and a Fred Meyer on River Road...for those of you familiar with the area.) 

In past years PARKING is usually free.  Have fun everyone!

Tacoma Public Library

For those of you who love to read, why buy books? The Tacoma public library has great resources. For the technophiles, library has the ability to download ebooks and for those of us who like to ride the bus with a paperback, free is even better than Costco prices.

If you are at a loss for what to do with the kiddos, the library offers storytime and other events. In April, the 23rd they have a movie called Alpha and Omega at the main branch at 3pm. Rated PG.

Also, give their story time a try. It's so much fun! There are silly songs and interesting stories. At your neighborhood branch, you can hear stories usually every other week, any given weekday and Saturdays too. Check out their website...WWW.tacomapubliclibrary.org.

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Free movie on April 16th @ the Grand Cinema

Every 3rd Sat of the month, the Grand Cinema (located at 606 South Fawcett St) has a family friendly movie for FREE! This weeks movie is Indiana Jones Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. It's PG-13, so use your best judgement when deciding for the young ones if its appropriate.

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The Beginning

I've decided to start this blog in order to share with fellow south sounders all the fun and inexpensive things there are to do. As my family grows, (the kids are 4yrs and 6mos), the items if interest will change as well. So, stay tuned for constant updates.

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